Washing machine



Feb. 1, 1955 A. LODGE 2,700,834

WASHING MACHINE Filed April 18, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fit W ALV/A/ L005Snventor (Ittorneg A. LODGE WASHING MACHINE Feb. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet4 Filed April 18, 1951 AL V//\/ 0065 Inventor ml. Gttomeg United StatesPatent WASHING MACHINE Alvin Lodge, Jamestown, N. Y., assignor toBlackstone gorporation, Jamestown, N. Y., a corporation of New orkApplication April 18, 1951, Serial No. 221,685

7 Claims. (Cl. 68-23) This invention relates to Washing machines of thetype in which a single receptacle is utilized to wash, rinse, andcentrifugally dry clothes. More particularly, the invention is directedto improvements in an automatic machine of this type that operatesthrough the various steps of washing, draining, rinsing and drying, inpredetermined order and timed sequence.

Specifically, the invention is directed to an automatic washing machineof the type shown and described in Patent No. 2,361,767, wherein areceptacle, containing an agitator, is vertically adjusted in the courseof changing from and to the washing or rinsing position and spinningposition. The machine set out in the above mentioned patent, althoughfully capable of carrying out complete washing, rinsing and dryingoperations, is subject to certain objections that obtain from improperor careless manipulation by an operator, as well as lacking certainpositive safety mechanisms. This is particularly true in connection withthe transition in an operative cycle, wherein a spinning operation iscompleted and a washing or rinsing operation is to be started. Also, thepatent is somewhat deficient in its provision of simple and adequatemeans for quickly commencing or terminating a spinning operation.

It is a purpose and object of the present invention to provide a washingmachine that will function, throughout its various sequentialoperations, in such a manner as to eliminate all possibility of damageto any machine parts or injury to clothing being laundered.

Another and important object of the invention lies in the provision of amechanism which provides sure and positive clutch and brake control ofthe clothes receptaclle when it is beginning or completing the spinningcyc e.

A still further and important object of the invention lies in theprovision of safety mechanism by which the spinning operation must becompleted before the parts may assume a position for the next sequentialoperation such, for example, as a washing or rinsing operation.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of suchsafety mechanism as will prevent an operator from manually changing thetiming sequence of operations in a manner to cause damage to any of themachine parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fullyunderstood from a consideration of the following specification, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings; and in which Fig. 1 is aside elevational view of a cabinet enclosed washing machine in which oneform of the present invention is embodied, a part of the side wall ofsaid cabinet being broken away to disclose the association of the partsof the inventive structure;

Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view showingthe operative parts in position for the operation of spinning a clothesreceiving receptacle.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on the line3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and shows the position of theoperative parts when the receptacle has approximately completed thespinning operation;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 55of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is another view similar to Fig. 2 and shows the position of theoperative parts when ready for a-washing or rinsing operation; and

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line7--7 of Fig. 6.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 isemployed to generally designate a rectangular cabinet in which a singlereceptacle washing, rinsing, and centrifugal drying machine, embodyingthe invention, is contained. The cabinet constitutes no part of theinvention, being illustrated merely for the purpose of disclosing thegeneral proportions required to enclose the structure of the invention.The cabinet may be said to be divided into upper and lower compartments11 and 12, respectively, through the provision of a dished partition 13.This partition, at its margins, may be formed with a depending flangewhich is permanently attached to the inner faces of the walls of thecabinet, preferably in such a manner as to prevent the downward passageof water into the compartment 12. Although not shown, a suitable drainis provided to remove water accumulating on this partition during alaundering operation. The partition 13 is formed with a central,circular opening 14 which, in the present disclosure, is defined by anupwardly directed, rolled-edge flange 16. This rolled edge, with theimmediately ad acent portion of the partition, provides a support for aresilient boot 17 that is of substantially the configuration shown. Theupper end of the boot is formed with a radially, inwardly ortset ledge18 and terminates in an upstanding reinforced neck 19. Mounted on andpartially enclosing the neck 19 is a sleeve-like collar 21 that isfitted with one or more set screws 22 which are intended to be turneddown into locking engagement with a fixed tubular member hereinaftermore fully described. The lower edge of the collar 21 is outwardlyflanged, as at 23, to provide rim-like support for a horizontallydisposed circular plate 24. The circular opening in this plate is defined by a reinforced gasket 26, the gasket proper having water-tightfit with the collar 21 and the lower reinforcement thereof beingsupported on the collar flange 23. The plate 24 may be circularlyribbed, substantially as shown, to give it desired rigidity. The outeredge of this plate terminates in an upwardly inclined flange 27 whichmounts a gasket 28 that acts as a water seal to prevent drainage fromthe clothes receptacle under certain conditions of operation of thedevice.

In the compartment 12 is located the supporting structure for the entiremechanism of the device. Although this supporting structure constitutesno specific part of the present invention, it is appropriate to brieflydescribe it in order that the mechanism constituting the invention maybe shown to be properly and adequately mounted. The supporting structuretakes the form of a fixture 29, the lower central portion of which is ofthe nature of a hub 31 that has a central opening 32. The support 29includes a radially extending portion 33 which, at its end, extendsupwardly to form an arm 34. This arm is curved inwardly to form an upperintegral hub 35 having a circular opening 36 on center with the opening32. Adjacent the lower end of the arm 34 is permanently secured aradially extending bracket 37 which rests on a resilient block 38 thatis in turn carried by an inclined member 39. A bolt 41 serves to joinbracket 37, block 38, and member 39. Two additional brackets (not shown)on the top of the gear housing are supported by additional blocks 38 andmembers 39 and provide a three-point suspension for the mechanism withinthe cabinet. Secured to the lower end of the hub 31 of the support 29 isa gear housing 42. This housing, in Fig. 1 of the drawing, is partlybroken away to disclose a portion of a rotatable plate 43 having anupstanding cam rim 44 that is so located as to underlie the opening 32.

Mounted in the opening 36 of the upper hub 35 is an elongated tubularmember 46. This member extends downwardly beneath the hub 35 apredetermined distance and is threaded at its lower end to receive a nut47. An expansion spring 48 encircles the member 46, its upper endbearing against the under edge of the hub 35 and its lower end bearingagainst the upper edge of the inner race of a bearing 49. The outer raceof this hearing mounts a clutch pulley 51, having a rim 52 with which adriving belt 53 is engaged. The tubular member 46 projects upwardlythrough the collar 21 and serves as a hollow supporting column forstructure that mounts the clothes recep tacle. The reinforced neck 19serves as an upper endstop for a spacing sleeve 54 which encircles themember 46, the lower end of this sleeve resting upon the upper edge ofthe hub 35.

The tubular member 46 carries a drive sleeve 55. The upper end of thissleeve has resilient operative connection with the upper end 56 of a hubor center post 57 which includes a circular base flange 58 thatconstitutes the central base portion of the clothes re ceptacle 59. Itwill be understood that when the sleeve 55 is rotated by meanshereinafter described, the receptacle rotates therewith. For presentpurposes of description, the receptacle 59 includes a circular side wall61 and a base 62. This base is formed with a circular opening, the rimof which rests on and has watertight securement to the ledge 63 of baseflange 58. Adjacent the ledge 63, the base of the hub 58 is reinforceddownwardly, as indicated at 64, and a series of drain openings 66 aremade therethrough. These openings provide for the flow of liquid fromwithin the receptacle to the space beneath the receptacle and within theupper compartment 11. It will be noted that the openings 66 are alignedwith the gasket 28 and it is obvious that when the receptacle is moveddownwardly from the position of Figs. 1 or 2 to the position shown inFig. 6, said gasket serves as a seal or closing valve for said drainopenings.

The sleeve 55 projects below the lower end of the tubular member 46 anda short distance into the hub 31. A ring 67 or other suitable meansprovides a shoulder or ledge at the lower end of this sleeve on which issupported the inner race of a bearing 68. Directly above the bearing 68is a collar 69 having a bottom inturned flange 71 that bears against theupper edge of the inner race of the bearing 68. The upper end of thiscollar is radially flared, substantially as indicated at 72. Within thecollar 69, and surrounding the sleeve 55, is a tubular clutch member 73.The lower end of this member rests on the collar flange 71 and adjacentsaid end, suitable pins 74 are provided which secure the member to thesleeve. Extending from the upper end of the member 73, downwardly alittle greater than half its length, are diametrically opposite slots76. At the base of each slot a part of the member wall is cut away toform a continuing horizontal slot 77. The base wall of the slot 77 ishorizontal, whereas the upper wall 78 thereof is inclined downwardlyfrom the vertical slot 76 to the closed end 79. These slots areidentical, the horizontal parts thereof extending in a common directionaround the member.

A cylindrical member 81 serves in part as a housing for the collar 69and a clutch member 73. The lower end of this housing is inwardlyflanged, as at 82, and is secured to the upper edge of the lower hub 31.The upper edge of this housing terminates in an outwardly directedhorizontal flange 83. It will be noted that the flange 83 is spacedfrom, but directly beneath, a horizontal flange 84 of the clutch pulley51. A clutch plate 86 includes a horizontal rim 87 located betweenpulley flange S4 and the housing flange 83. Material 88 is applied tothe upper and lower faces of this rim and suitably serves in the drivingand braking operations of the device. This material, as indicated in thedrawing, may be secured to the rim in any manner, such, for example, asthrough the use of rivets 89. From the rim 87, clutch plate 86 isradially, downwardly inclined and terminates in an inner rim 91.Directly beneath this inner rim is located a clutch locking cup 92 thatis secured to rim 91 in any convenient manner, as by rivets 94. Thelower edge of cup 92 is inwardly flanged, as at 93. At diametricallyopposite points, these flanges continue in the form of lugs 90 whichproject into the slots 76.

The receptacle drive sleeve 55 serves to enclose a drive shaft 95. Theupper end of this shaft projects beyond the end of the sleeve 55 andmounts a gear 96. The upper end of a post 97 of an agitator 98 mounts aring gear 99, the circumferential edge of which supports the base of anenclosing cap 100. These gears constitute a clutch for engagement ordisengagement of the agitator with the oscillating shaft 95. Referringto Fig. .1, this clutch is shown to be disengaged and the agitatorrendered nonostlill la i H W9 when the shaft 95 is moved downwardly,gear 96 thereon engages ring gear 99 and in this manner oscillation ofthe shaft is transmitted to the agitator. Suitable bearings (forming nopart of the invention) mount the agitator in substantially therelationship shown in the drawing with respect to the hub 57 of thereceptacle. The lower end of shaft 95 extends downwardly beyond the endof sleeve 55 through hub 31 and terminates within the gear housing 42.Secured to this end of the shaft is a gear 101 which is movable into andout of full mesh with an oscillatable gear segment 102 when the shaft isvertically adjusted for the purpose of engaging or disengaging theagitator gears. Directly above gear 101, and also secured to the shaft95, is a cylindrical member 103, the walls of which have operative fitwith the walls of the opening 32 of hub 31. The member 103 has a lowerneck 104 that abuts the upper edge of gear 101. Exteriorly, this neckconnects with the cylindrical walls through an inclined surface 105which is provided as a contact area for the cam rim 44. Within themember 103 a boss-like extension 106 serves as an abutment for a collar107 that is secured to the shaft by pin 108. In this manner thecylindrical member 103 is secured against any upward movement relativeto the shaft 95. The space 109 within this member accommodates anexpansion spring 110. The lower end of this spring bears against theinterior bottom wall of the member, whereas the upper end thereofengages the horizontal flange of a collar 111. This horizontal flangecontinues radially outwardly beyond the spring in an offset rim 112which serves to space the upper end of the cylindrical member 103 fromthe outer face of bearing 68.

Attention is now directed to structure which is intended to prevent thestart of one operation in a washing cycle before the previous cycle hasbeen completed, this being without regard for any manipulation by anoperator of the device. A vertical slot 113 is made in the wall of theopening 32 of hub 31. Mounted in this slot is a spring clip 114. Thisclip extends substantially the full length of the slot and its upper endis flanged, as at 116, to overlie the upper edge of the outer race ofbearing 68. Near its lower end, the clip is formed with an inwardlyoffset shoulder 117, the end 118 providing a leg of such proportions asto extend said shoulder beyond the slot 113 into the path of theinclined surface 105 of the cylindrical member 103, substantially asillustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. It will be evident that this clipserves to prevent axial separation of the cylindrical member 103 fromits near proximity to the bearing 68 during certain stages of operationof the device.

The structure above described relates particularly to provision ofimproved clutch mechanism for connecting either the receptacle or theagitator with an appropriate drive. Also, the invention discloses meansfor promptly stopping rotation of the receptacle upon completion of aspinning operation and the preventing of such receptacle from assuminganother position before complete cessation of rotation and preparatoryto a further sequential laundering operation. Further, the inventionprovides an additional safeguard against commencing a sequentialoperation before all the operative parts have completed the previousoperation and are set for a change in position or relationship tocommence a further operation. With this in mind, attention is now moreparticularly directed to operation of the structure of the invention.

In explaining the operation of the invention, it may be assumed that awashing operation has taken place, the receptacle drained, and the partspositioned for a spinning operation whereby water is extracted from theclothes in the receptacle. At this stage in the cycle, the parts appearsubstantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. Herein it willbe noted first that the agitator clutch, located in the top of theagitator post, is disengaged and that the material 88 of the clutchplate 86 bears against the under face of the pulley flange 84. Ofcourse, the belt 53 is connected with a suitable motor and continuouslyrotates the pulley 51. Lugs 90 of the locking cup 92 are within thevertical slots 76 of the member 73 and bear against one wall thereof.Also, it is to be noted that a high portion of the cam rim 44 is incontact within the inclined surface 105 and, through various parts, suchas member 103, bearing 68, collar 69, and sleeve 55, the

receptacle is held raised from the seating plate 24. It may now beassumed that the timing mechanism (not shown, nor forming a part of theinvention) has designated a completion of the spinning operation, orthat an operator has manually advanced the cycle, and that the parts. ofthe device are to next assume a position such that a rinsing operationmay take place. It will, of course, be understood that a rinsingoperation, insofar as the device is concerned, causes the parts toassume the same position and function in the same manner as they wouldin a washing operation. Thus, the rinsing operation would consist ofclosing the openings in the receptacle, filling it with water, andagitating the clothes in this water by oscillation of the agitator. Whenthe spinning operation is completed, the timing mechanism functions toeffect rotation of plate 43, thus causing a lower portion of the cam rim44 to be presented to the inclined surface 105. In this manner, theshaft 95, drive sleeve 55, and associated parts move from their relativepositions of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 4. Comparison of these figuresindicates, first, that the clutch plate 86 has moved out of contact withpulley flange 84 and into contact with flange 83 of the fixedcylindrical member 81. Thus, a braking action to slow down and stoprotation of the receptacle immediately takes place followingdisengagement of the plate 86 from contact with the pulley 51. positionof the parts, preparatory to commencing the next sequential operation,cannot take place until rotation of the receptacle has absolutelyceased. Thus, as braking action is applied to the receptacle, the forceof such action causes the lugs 90 of the clutch locking cup to move fromthe position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig 4 wherein they lie against theinclined surfaces 78 and the slot end wall 79. Due to the continuingintermediate height of the cam rim 44, the various parts of themechanism remain in the position of Fig. 4 until the receptacle hascompletely ceased rotation, and for a short space of time thereafter, toenable drainage of any water remaining in the receptacle.

The timing mechanism governing the operative steps may function at anytime now to rotate plate 43 to bring a still lower portion of the camrim 44 into position beneath the inclined surface 105. When suchrotation of the plate has taken place, support for the receptacle iswithdrawn. The weight of the receptacle may now force the sleeve 55downwardly and this movement, transmitted to the clutch member 73,causes the inclined surfaces 78 of the clutch locking cup to ridedownwardly on the lugs 90 and in so doing produce a slight reverserotation of the receptacle. This movement of the lugs up the inclinedsurfaces 78 and well into the vertical slot 76, enables lowering thereceptacle into seating position on the plate 24 and the closing ofdrain ports or openings 66. Simultaneously with the downward movement ofsleeve 55, member 103 moves downwardly and causes the leg 118 of clip114 to become free of the slot 113. The shoulder 117 is thus removedfrom beneath the inclined surface 105 and member 103 and shaft 95 travelstill further downwardly to fully engage gear 101 with gear segment 102.Such movement of these parts is initiated by expansion of spring 110.This further travel of shaft 95 causes gear 96, on the upper endthereof, to move into mesh with the ring gear 99 of the agitator 97. Itwill be understood that gear segment 102 and shaft 95 are at all timesoscillating while the machine is in operation and, consequently, theagitator is immediately set in motion by engagement of the clutch gears96 and 99. From the foregoing it is apparent that the receptacle mustcompletely cease rotation before it becomes seated to close the ports oropenings 66, and only following this can the clutch be engaged toactuate the agitator. The position which the operative parts now assumerelates to the rinsing operation in the cycle of the machine. Thisoperation is for the purpose of subjecting the washed, drained, and spunclothes to a clear-water rinse. Operation of the agitator serves todislodge any extraneous matter that may cling to the clothes followingthe washing operation.

The neXt or last step in the washing cycle is the operation of drainingthe water from the receptacle and spinning dry the rinsed clothes. Thetiming mechanism has been functioning to continuously present a lowportion of the cam rim 44 to the surface 105. However, as the time forthe rinsing operation draws to a close, a portion of intermediate heightof the cam rim is presented to the surface 105. In this manner, theoperative parts Change in operative are adjusted to and assume theposition shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. Herein the agitator clutch hasbeen disengaged and the receptacle raised sufficiently from off thesuppgt 24 to permit drainage through the ports of openings 'l he abovedescription of operation of the invention presupposes that an operator,having started the machine through its normal operative cycle, has notdisturbed or changed the time period of any of the operations, orchanged back to a preceding operation, or advanced to a successiveoperation. It frequently occurs, in the laundering of various types ofarticles, that an operator will wish to shorten one of the pre-setoperative periods, or repeat such an operative period. This isaccomplished by manual manipulation of a dial or knob connected with themachine timing mechanism and, not being new to the present invention, isnot shown. However, an operator, not being familiar with the variousmechanisms of the machine, could unwittingly shift from one operativestep to another in such manner as to damage the machine parts or theclothes being laundered. As has already been brought out, the presentmechanism is intended to prevent such a condition and, in order that thestructure by which the parts are required to perform their propersequential function, regardless of whether the sequence is manual orautomatic, a brief description of manually changed timing is presented.

It may first be assumed that with the operative parts in the position ofFig. 6, wherein a washing operation is in progress, an operator wishesto immediately change to a spinning operation without awaiting the endof the agitation period. The manual control is manipulated to rotate theplate 43 to bring the high portion of the cam rim 44 into positionbeneath the inclined surface 105, bringing the parts into the positionshown in Fig. 2. In the course of upward movement of the various parts,they will pass through the positions shown in Fig. 4. It will beobserved that the member 103 has been moved upwardly sufficiently tore-locate the shoulder 117 of spring clip 114 beneath the inclinedsurface 105, and that this movement is transmitted through sleeve 55 tothe receptacle 59, thus raising the receptacle and opening ports 66 andallowing drainage of any liquid contained in said receptacle. At thispoint, it will be noted that the clutch plate 86 is not as yet engagedwith the drive pulley 51 and, therefore, the receptacle has not yetcommenced rotation. Completing upward movement of the member 103compresses spring 110 located therein, further raises the receptacle 59,causes lugs to locate in the base of the slots 76, and the clutch plate86 to engage the under face of the pulley 51. From the foregoing it isapparent that even by manual change the parts of the mechanism arerequired to first disengage the agitator clutch, then raise thereceptacle and re-set the spring clip 114. These parts, of course, mustfirst occupy the position of Fig. 4 before a spinning operation can takeplace in order that the operator of the machine, once a spinningoperation is in progress, will be enabled, without damage to the machineparts, to revert again from a spinning operation to an agitatingoperation.

If it is assumed that a spinning operation is in progress, and anoperator of the machine, to shorten the normal time period thereof,wishes to go directly into a washing operation, the manual control ismanipulated to rotate the plate 43 and withdraw the highest portion ofthe cam rim 44 from beneath the inclined surface of the member 103. Thiswithdrawal of the support of the cam rim only allows the receptacle tobe lowered to the position of Fig. 4 and efiects immediately a brakingaction of the rotation of the receptacle. As has already been stated,the receptacle cannot lower upon the fixed seat until complete rotationhas ceased and lugs 90 have moved out from beneath the inclined surface78 of the clutch member 73. When these lugs have become free of thismember, the receptacle will have ceased rotation and can move onto thefixed seat and, with such movement, the agitator clutch becomes engaged.

Although applicant has shown and described only one form of theinvention, it will be understood that variations in the structuraldetails of the safety mechanisms may be made and are contemplated asbeing within the spirit and scope of the invention insofar as they areset out in the annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which Idesire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. In a washing machine, a rotatable receptacle, a rotatable sleevemounting said receptacle, an agitator carried by and located within saidreceptacle, an oscillatable shaft for said agitator mounted in saidsleeve, a clutch operable to transmit oscillation of said shaft to saidagitator, means for supporting and axially moving said shaft in adirection to effect disengagement of said clutch, bearing means on saidshaft providing support for said receptacle, a power driven pulleymounted for free rotation about said sleeve, a further clutch operableto transmit rotation of said pulley to said sleeve, a braking carried bysaid further clutch operable to terminate rotation of said receptacleupon disengagement of said further clutch, and means associated withsaid further clutch for withholding engagement of the agitator clutchuntil rotation of said receptacle has been terminated by said brake.

2. In a washing machine, a rotatable receptacle, a rotatable sleevemounting said receptacle, an agitator carried by and located within saidreceptacle, an oscillatable shaft for said agitator mounted in saidsleeve, a clutch operable to transmit oscillation of said shaft to saidagitator, cam means so associated with one end of said shaft as tosupport said shaft and being operable to effect axial movement thereofin a direction to engage and disengage the agitator clutch, meansproviding axial support for said sleeve on said shaft, said meansincluding structure enabling limited relative axial movement of shaftand sleeve, a power driven pulley mounted for free rotation about saidsleeve, a clutch operable to transmit rotation of said pulley to saidsleeve, and means operable to secure said shaft against axial movementto an extent to prevent engagement of the agitator clutch uponwithdrawal of said cam support and during rotation of said receptacle.

3. In a washing machine, a rotatable receptacle mounted for axialmovement into stationary and rotatable positions, an agitator in saidreceptacle mounted for oscillating movement, a clutch operable toconnect said agitator with an oscillating drive member, a further clutchoperable to connect said receptacle with a rotating drive member, meansfor terminating rotation of said receptacle when said receptacle clutchis disengaged and further means preventing engagement of said agitatorclutch until rotation of said receptacle has ceased.

4. In a washing machine, a rotatable receptacle mounted for axialmovement into a lowered stationary position and a raised rotatableposition, an agitator in said receptacle mounted for oscillatingmovement in the plane of rotation of said receptacle, a clutch operableto connect said agitator with an oscillating drive member, a furtherclutch operable to connect said receptacle with a rotating drive member,said further clutch including means for successively terminatingrotation of said receptacle and enabling axial movement thereof intolowered stationary position.

5. In a washing machine, a rotatable receptacle, a rotatable sleevemounting said receptacle, an agitator carried by and located within saidreceptacle, an oscillatable shaft for said agitator mounted in saidsleeve, a clutch operable to transmit oscillation of said shaft to saidagitator, cam means so associated with one end of said shaft as tosupport said shaft and being operable to effect axial movement thereofin a direction to engage and disengage the agitator clutch, extendablemeans providing axial support for said sleeve on said shaft, and furthermeans operable to control extension of said means and relative axialmovement of said sleeve and shaft.

6. ln a washing machine, a rotatable receptacle, a rotatable sleevemounting said receptacle, an agitator carried by and located within saidreceptacle, an oscillatable shaft for said agitator mounted in saidsleeve, a clutch operable to transmit oscillation of said shaft to saidagitator, cam means so associated with one end of said shaft as tosupport said shaft and being operable to effect axial movement thereofin a direction to engage and disengage the agitator clutch, extendablemeans providing axial support for said sleeve on said shaft, a furthcrclutch operable to connect said receptacle sleeve with a rotating drivemember, said further clutch having interfitting parts encircling saidsleeve and cooperating to successively terminate rotation of saidreceptacle and free said extendable means for operation to effectmovement of said sleeve to lower said receptacle into stationaryposition.

7. In a washing machine, a rotatable receptacle, a rotatable sleevemounting said receptacle, an agitator carried by and located within saidreceptacle, an oscillatable shaft for said agitator mounted in saidsleeve, a clutch operable to transmit oscillation of said shaft to saidagitator, cam means so associated with one end of said shaft as tosupport said shaft and being operable to effect axial movement thereofin a direction to engage and disengage the agitator clutch, extendablemeans providing axial support for said sleeve on said shaft, a furtherclutch operable to connect said receptacle sleeve with a rotating drivemember, said further clutch including a pair of members rotatabletogether when said further clutch is engaged and being relativelyaxially movable when said further clutch is disengaged, the relativeaxial movement of said pair of members enabling operation of saidextendable means to enable axial movement of said sleeve to lower saidreceptacle into stationary position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,725,995 Myers Aug. 27, 1929 2,361,767 Hays Oct. 31, 1944 2,561,257Woodson July 17, 1951 2,574,617 Bryant Nov. 13, 1951

